Mannar crisis

DISCRIMINATION in relief provision in Mannar District is causing disunity within refugee camps, reports say. Over 26,800 people have taken refuge in Mannar mainland following the three major military operations since December last year.

Refugees who arrived after military Operation Sunray I are being issued dry rations. But the government still refuses to recognise refugees after Operation Sunray II in April. Refugees arriving after Operation Sath Jaya have been issued only one month's dry rations.

On Mannar Island, only small numbers of refugees continued to leave for India by boats in September following the reduction in the number of search operations and clashes between the Army and the LTTE.

A three-day ban on fishing in early September added to the problems of fishermen who are already suffering by other restrictions. Following the representations of Mannar GA SM Croos, Northern Province Resettlement and Rehabilitation Authority's Somapala Gunadheera has announced that dry rations will be issued to 8,000 fishing families.

Further south in Puttalam, the LTTE abducted 13 fishermen at Vathalakundu and Palliavathai villages on 1 October. There is concern over increased LTTE activity following the discovery of weapons in the district. Defence sources say the weapons are from Wilpattu jungles further north, where the Tigers have stored large quantities of arms.

In Vavuniya District mystery killings continue to increase tension. A body with gunshot wounds was found near the market on 6 September. The bodies of two Muslims and a Tamil who came from Trincomalee were found in a van on Mannar road. Their hands and feet were tied and they had been shot through their heads.

Despite severe restrictions on travellers to Vavuniya, the LTTE has infiltrated the town. Five police officers issuing travel passes at the Vavuniya railway station were injured by a grenade attack on 19 September sending a deadly warning to civilians fleeing south.
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